Boston Dynamics today released a 24-second video teasing a new version of its SpotMini robot dog. And boy did the robot get a major makeover. The first thing you’ll notice is that SpotMini’s body is now covered in a plastic, yellow shell for a much friendlier look.

But the new SpotMini also ditched the manipulator robot arm that was on the top of its body. But SpotMini also has new 3D vision cameras on its side and back obstacle avoidance. It movements seem a lot smoother than before, too.

It appears Softbank is pushing Boston Dynamics to commercialize its first robot, which has always been the big question.

Mike Rawson

Mike Rawson has recently re-awoken a long-standing interest in robots and our automated future.
He lives in London with a single android - a temperamental vacuum cleaner - but is looking forward to getting more cyborgs soon.

Love Boston Dynamics, but fail to see how their lineup of robots are going commercial anytime soon. Who would use this model and for what? Didn’t stop me from putting “Atlas robot” on my Christmas list though.